Electric blankets: nightmares or dream?

I grew up south of Stanthorpe, and although it is a beautiful place, and I fully recommend a visit, let me tell you that in winter it can get quite cold.

I was a bit of a cowardly child (now I’m a cowardly adult) and although I don’t mind cold weather, I personally don’t like being cold. So I had an electric blanket. Sometimes I “forget” to turn it off, and I’m still warm and reluctant to put my toes on -5 am …

So I know the appeal of an electric blanket and how nice it is to have something else to keep you warm on those pretty cold nights. However, it is not really good for you.

The main reason electric blankets aren’t good for you is the obvious one: it’s a fire hazard. Because they are bent / coiled for half the year, and in a bed with the bodies on top and crumpling for part of the year, the wiring can be under a great deal of stress. With age, the insulation around the wires can become brittle or broken, which can lead to electrical shock to the sleeper or short circuits and possible fires.

The second best way to minimize the risk of fire or shock from an electric blanket is to have it checked by a qualified electrician every year, before use. He or she will check the visible wiring and connections, and test the voltage and current, indicating if there is a short and informing you accordingly. If in doubt, throw it away.

The next main reason you should reduce the use of electric blankets is because they can generate a high electric and electromagnetic field that you sleep in. Or trying. The body communicates electrically and high electric or electromagnetic fields can cause insomnia, restless or restless sleep, that “jumping” feeling that sometimes occurs in the muscles, anxiety, and sometimes nightmares.

Of course, the second best way to reduce these risks is to turn off the electric blanket before bed, or at least within five minutes of entry. This can also prevent me from waking up in the middle of the night in a hot sweat … something I’ve done many times when I was a forgetful kid!

You will notice that I have said that these options are the second best. That’s because obviously the best option is not to use an electric blanket at all.

What other options are there? Well, there’s always that lovely standby mode, the hot water bottle. These are amazing, cheap, you can get really cute and cozy covers for them, and they have the added bonus that you can use them as a COLD water bottle in the summer.

I personally have a second (cheap) quilt, which I use as a blanket, under my bottom sheet. That has the benefit of reflecting heat back to me as soon as I get into bed. A nice hot shower just before bed to warm up your skin, jump into bed, and voila! You can also get sheepskin or wool base layers that do something similar.

How do you stay warm? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this one!